Countdown to the 2026 Election
The only candidate with experience as a prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, and magistrate.
Experience from Every Side of the Courtroom
Judicial experience matters. So does understanding the courtroom from more than one perspective.
Michael Sawicky is the only candidate in this race who brings experience as a prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, and magistrate — giving him firsthand experience advocating before the court as well as serving as the neutral judicial officer responsible for applying the law. This experience provides a breadth of legal and judicial experience unique in this race.
Prosecuting Attorney
Michael's Experience
Presented the government's case, evaluated evidence, applied criminal law, and carried the burden of proving the case.
What it Brings to the Bench
Firsthand understanding of prosecution, evidence, law enforcement, and the government's responsibilities.
Criminal Defense Attorney
Michael's Experience
Protected the client's rights, challenged evidence, tested whether the government met its burden, and advocated for the accused.
What it Brings to the Bench
Understanding of due process, constitutional protections, and the importance of every person receiving a fair hearing.
Magistrate
Michael's Experience
Served as a judicial officer—reviewing the law and facts and making decisions within the authority of the court.
What it Brings to the Bench
Actual judicial experience: listening to both sides, applying the law impartially, exercising judgment, and making fair decisions.
District Court Judge
Role Responsibility
Broader judicial authority and responsibility for fairly applying the law across matters before the court.
What Michael Brings to the Bench
Brings together experience from all sides of the courtroom—prosecution, defense, and neutral judicial decision-making.
Michael recognizes that sometimes accountability combined with treatment is a better path toward preventing someone from coming back into the justice system again.
Advocating for Solutions, Accountability & Change
Michael's work as a defense advocate in sobriety, drug treatment, and mental health courts has given him firsthand experience working with people whose involvement with the justice system may be complicated by addiction, substance use, or mental health challenges.
In these specialized courts, Michael has advocated for solutions that recognize both accountability and the opportunity for meaningful change. He understands that protecting the community and upholding the law are essential, but he has also seen how treatment, appropriate support, and structured accountability can help address underlying issues and give people an opportunity to move forward.
That experience has reinforced something Michael carries into his work as a magistrate: every case must be considered on its facts, and every person who enters a courtroom deserves to be heard and treated with dignity and respect.
Trusted by Those Who Know the Court and the Community
Michael Sawicky is proud to have earned the support of Michigan judges, attorneys, public safety professionals, elected officials, and community leaders To view the full list of endorsements and video testimonials Click Here.
Hon. Matthew Ackerman - Michigan Court of Appeals
Hon. James Alexander - Oakland Circuit (retired)
Hon. Michelle Friedman Appel - 45th District Court
Hon. Cynthia Arvant - 46th District Court
Hon. Daniel Bain - 53rd District Court (Brighton)
Hon. Robert Bondy - 52-1 District Court
Hon. James Brady - 47th District Court
Hon. Tricia Dare - Oakland Circuit
Hon. Joseph Fabrizio - 52-2 District Court
Hon. Lisa Gorcyca - Oakland Circuit
Hon. David Gubow (retired) - 45th District Court
Hon. Brian Hartwell - 43rd District Court (Hazel Park)
Hon. Gene Hunt- 19th District Court
Hon. Keith Hunt - 43rd District Court (Madison Heights)
Hon. Kelley Kostin - 52-2 District Court
Hon. Jonathan Lauderbach (retired) - 42nd Circuit Court
Hon. T. David Law - 52-1 District Court
Hon. Cheryl Matthews - Oakland Circuit
Hon. Maureen McGuinness - 52-4 District Court
Magistrate Julie Nelson-Klein - 48th District Court
Hon. Daniel O'Brien - Oakland Circuit
Hon. Dan O'Hara - 63rd District Court
Hon. Laura Polizzi - 52-3 District Court
Hon. Wendy Potts (retired) - Oakland Circuit
Hon. Travis Reeds - 52-1 District Court
Hon. William Richards (retired) - 46th District Court
Magistrate Mark Berke- 47th District Court
Magistrate Michael Bosnic - 52- District Court
Magistrate Patrick Brennan - 43rd District Court
Magistrate Lissa Chiappelli - 52-4 District Court
Magistrate Richard Halprin - 45th District Court
Magistrate Brandy Hart - 47th District Court
Magistrate Lewis Langham 52-2 District Court
Magistrate Michael Mitchell - 43rd District Court
Magistrate Robert Morad 52-2 District Court
Magistrate Julie Nelson-Klein - 48th District Court
Magistrate Thomas Raguso - 52-2 District Court
Magistrate Andra Richardson - 52-1 District Court
Magistrate Daniel Schouman - 52-2 District Court
Magistrate Richard Strenger - 52-2 District Court
Magistrate Victor Zanolli - 52-1 District Court
Farmington Hills Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 2659
The Farmington Hills Firefighters Association, IAFF Local 2659, is proud to endorse Magistrate Michael Sawicky for 47th District Court Judge.
Police Officers Association of Michigan
Magistrate Michael E. Sawicky is honored to have the endorsement of the Police Officers Association of Michigan.
Commitment to Community
For Michael Sawicky, serving the Farmington and Farmington Hills community extends well beyond the courtroom. Over the years, he has volunteered his time and leadership to his neighborhood, local organizations, youth sports, and organizations important to his Ukrainian heritage.
Michael currently serves as president of his homeowners association and is a former president and current board member of the Xemplar Club of Farmington & Farmington Hills.
His work extends beyond the courtroom through service with:
- Farmington Elks
- Ukrainian organizations
- Educational and professional legal institutions
- Boards supporting history, arts, and youth development
Learn more about his commitment to community, Click Here
From Hunger to Hope Dinner
Supporting CARES in Farmington Hills
It was an honor to attend the From Hunger to Hope Dinner in support of
CARES in Farmington Hills. CARES continues to provide food, dignity, and hope to hundreds of local families each month, and the impact of their volunteers, donors, and leadership is truly inspiring. I was glad to support such an important cause and to spend the evening with so many people committed to helping our neighbors. Thank you to everyone at CARES for the work you do to strengthen this community.
A Magistrate Who Understands the Full Courtroom
- 47th District Court Magistrate serving Farmington & Farmington Hills
- Former Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor
- Criminal Defense Attorney since 2000
- Author, Michigan Criminal Procedure Handbook
- Advocate in Sobriety, Drug Treatment, and Mental Health Courts
This combination ensures that all decisions are fair, informed, and grounded in both law and life.
Video Endorsements
Julie Nelson Klein
Magistrate, Oakland County 48th District Court
Julie Nelson-Klein is an attorney and longtime Magistrate of Oakland County’s 48th District Court in Bloomfield Hills, where her judicial responsibilities include conducting arraignments and presiding over informal hearings and small-claims matters. In 2024, the Michigan Supreme Court appointed Julie to the state’s Judicial Education Board, where she serves as its quasi-judicial officer member.
As a fellow magistrate with years of courtroom experience, Julie understands firsthand the judgment, temperament, and commitment to fairness required of those entrusted with judicial responsibility. Listen as she shares why she supports Magistrate Michael Sawicky for Judge of the 47th District Court.J
Listen as she shares why she supports Magistrate Michael Sawicky for Judge of the 47th District Court.
Frank Luscri
Longtime Farmington-Area Community Leader
Past President, Italian American Club of Livonia
Frank Luscri is a longtime Farmington-area community member with decades of civic involvement, including six years as President of the Italian American Club of Livonia and continued service with its charitable foundation. But Frank knows Michael Sawicky from a much more personal perspective. For more than 20 years, they have been neighbors, friends, and fellow homeowners association volunteers.
Listen as Frank shares what those years have shown him about Michael's integrity, levelheadedness, commitment to family, and the fairness he would bring to the 47th District Court bench.
Richard Small
Attorney, Small Law, PLLC.
Richard Small has built a diverse legal career representing clients in criminal defense, personal injury, immigration, traffic matters, and expungements. A graduate of the University of Michigan and the Wayne State University Law School, he brings firsthand courtroom experience and a respected perspective on the qualities that make an effective judge.
Listen as Richard shares why he believes Magistrate Michael Sawicky has the experience, temperament, and commitment to fairness needed to serve as Judge of the 47th District Court.
Andra Richardson
Magistrate, Oakland County District Court 52-1
Andra Richardson has served as a magistrate in Oakland County's 52-1 District Court in Novi since 1990, bringing more than three decades of judicial experience to the bench.
A former Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor and graduate of Wayne State University Law School, she also maintains a private family law practice, teaches as an adjunct professor at Eastern Michigan University, and has been selected to serve as an attorney magistrate in the 48th District Court.
Having known Michael Sawicky for more than 25 years, Andra has witnessed firsthand his compassion, integrity, and commitment to serving others.
Listen as she shares why she believes Michael's honesty, ethics, and dedication to the community make him the right choice to serve as Judge of the 47th District Court.
Mark Berke
Law Office of Mark B. Berke, PLLC
Mark Berke is a lifelong Farmington Hills resident and Michigan attorney who has practiced law since 1997. Through the Law Office of Mark B. Berke, PLLC, his practice includes criminal defense, traffic matters, landlord-tenant disputes, and civil litigation. He has also served as a Special Assistant Attorney General handling child support prosecutions across Michigan and, in 2024, was appointed an attorney magistrate for the 47th District Court.
Having worked closely with Michael and looked to him as a mentor, Mark describes the qualities that come to mind when he thinks of Magistrate Sawicky: “Knowledge, experience and commitment.”
Listen as Mark shares why Michael’s experience as a prosecutor, defense attorney, magistrate, and mentor makes him exceptionally qualified to serve as Judge of the 47th District Court.
David Gorcyca
Former Oakland County Prosecutor
Of Counsel, Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton
David Gorcyca served as the elected Oakland County Prosecutor for 12 years, leading an office of more than 100 assistant prosecutors. A former president of the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan, he later entered private practice and currently practices criminal defense and civil litigation as Of Counsel at Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton.
David’s experience with Michael Sawicky goes back nearly 30 years. He hired Michael as an assistant prosecutor in 1996 and has seen his career develop from prosecutor to defense attorney to magistrate.
Listen as David shares why he believes Michael’s broad courtroom experience, preparation, fairness, and judicial temperament uniquely qualify him to serve as Judge of the 47th District Court.
Michael's Campaign Statement
I’m running for District Court Judge because our community deserves a court that works for everyone—fairly, efficiently, and with respect for all who come before it.
For more than thirty years, I’ve served the people of our community from every side of the courtroom—as an assistant prosecutor, criminal defense attorney, and District Court Magistrate. These experiences have given me a clear and balanced understanding of how justice impacts people’s lives every day.
As Judge, I will ensure that every person is treated with fairness, dignity, and respect, regardless of their background or circumstance. I believe deeply that justice should never depend on who you are, what you have, or what politics you hold—but on what is right under the law.
Politics have no place in the courtroom. Every person who appears before a judge deserves decisions grounded in the facts, the law, and a commitment to fairness—not political influence or personal bias.
I’m running to bring experience, compassion, and common sense to the bench—and to ensure our District Court remains a place where the law is applied firmly, fairly, and without favor.
Michael Sawicky
"The law works best when it is applied fairly, thoughtfully, and with respect for every person who enters the courtroom"
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